vertical farm
A former granary, built in the 1930s, is located in the city of Cottbus in eastern Germany. Its structure consists of a reinforced concrete frame, which made the interior easy to change. Brick outer walls have many small windows, which makes the building appear taller than it really is. Granary's pitched roof was made entirely out of concrete to protect the building from bombings. Next to the granary is a bakery, which is connected to it by an overhead passage.
We propose a new function for the building — a vertical hydroponic farm. The main project goal was not only to create an efficient way to produce food but also to demonstrate a process to the general public. For that, part of the building was converted into a single large space separated from the hydroponic farm by a glass wall. Products grown in the production area can be tasted at a rooftop restaurant or purchased from a store on the ground floor.
In addition to learning about the production processes, guests can get acquainted with the old building and elements preserved in it: brick walls cleaned of paint, mushroom-shaped concrete columns and a metal slide for delivering grain to the ground floor. New interior elements, as well as building's facade, are made of corten steel sheets, which emphasizes the contrast between old and new.
First floor
1. Shop 2. Lobby 3. Coat check 4. WC 5. Barrier-free WC 6. Storage room 7. Staff entrance 8. Office 9. Loading dock 10. Staff room
Second floor
Third floor
Fourth floor
Fifth floor
Sixth floor
Seventh floor
1. Viewing area 2. Hydroponic farm 3. Staff room 4. Decontamination area 5. Utility room 6. WC 7. Barrier-free WC 8. Restaurant 9. Bar 10. Kitchen
